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  • Title: Choosing medical or surgical terminations of pregnancy in the first trimester: what is the difference?
    Author: Goodyear-Smith F, Knowles A.
    Journal: Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol; 2009 Apr; 49(2):211-5. PubMed ID: 19432614.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Women seeking termination of pregnancy in Auckland, New Zealand can chose between medical and surgical options up to eight weeks gestation. AIMS: To assess demographic differences or changes over time between proportions of women choosing medical or surgical abortions at a single centre and determine whether changing the mifepristone-misoprostol interval from two to one day impacted on outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective audit of two consecutive years (December 2005-November 2006 and December 2006-November 2007) of first-trimester surgical and medical terminations where the mifepristone-misoprostol interval was reduced from two to one day between years. Analysis using descriptive statistics and assessment of probability of observed differences between groups. RESULTS: A total of 1495 terminations were performed in 2005-2006 and 1588 in 2006-2007. No significant difference (P = 0.4) of eligible women choosing medical (21% and 23%) or surgical abortion between years. Ethnicity, age and residency status did not influence choice. Medical termination of pregnancy was more likely in women who were without previous children (P = 0.009), pregnancies (P = 0.02) or terminations (P = 0.04). Medical termination was similarly effective within six hours with either two- or one-day intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Both medical and surgical first-trimester abortions are safe and effective. It is optimal to be able to offer women choice. Reducing the medical interval to one day does not increase adverse outcomes.
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